I’m a big proponent of time spent in solitude.  Does this make me an introvert?  I’m not sure, but I do know that solitude offers me time to reflect, on life in general, and on my life specifically.  It plays a central role in my continuing quest to unearth authenticity in my life.

In this hurry-hurry world, I know that sitting still, appearing to do nothing, is not a popular avocation.  My own upbringing did not support this.  At least appearing to be busy was more valued than the perceived laziness of seeming to do nothing.  I stumbled upon the practice of solitude when I was given a blank journal as a gift.  Exploring my thoughts on paper certainly pointed me in the right direction.  Examining those thoughts led me to examining my beliefs and intentions which opened me to my authentic heart space.

I’ve long known this introspective process is valuable. I’ve also wondered why some sessions feel more ‘productive’ than others.  Sometimes I walk away from my time spent in solitude with nothing more than knowing I’ve put in the effort.  Other times I feel like I’ve mined for gold and hit the jackpot.  I have come to believe that it is the consistent effort that produces the latter…the commitment to spending the time whether or not it feels like anything is happening.

Recently, my heart lurched as I was listening to Deepak Chopra.  My heart always knows when it hears the truth.  He said, “Your heart has an intelligence like your brain does.  But the intelligence of your heart is more contextual and much more relational, more holistic.  It doesn’t have a win/lose orientation.  The heart has an intuitive intelligence.”  He then encouraged us to practice what he calls “heart-awareness.”

I believe that is what I do when I spend time in stillness at the commencement of each day.  Similar to a daily shower, it is a reconnect with Spirit.  This is where I practice heart-awareness.  When I move and live and breathe from this place, it always feels right.  

I’ve heard it said that the most challenging journey any of us will ever take is the journey from our head to our heart.  It is challenging because it is something I must be proactive with.  Current-day-life certainly doesn’t point me in that direction. Daily demands can keep me busy at a dizzying pace and then push me toward the road most-travelled rather than the road less-travelled.  Weaving this precious practice of solitude into my daily routine is up to me.  It just may be the greatest gift I give to myself… as well as to humanity.

~SuZanne
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